Dianthus Therapeutics Highlights Recent Business Achievements and Reports Q3 Financial Results

Rhea-AI Summary

Dianthus Therapeutics (NASDAQ: DNTH) reported Q3 2024 financial results and business updates. The company plans to initiate a pivotal Phase 3 trial of DNTH103 in CIDP by year-end 2024, while Phase 2 trials in gMG and MMN are ongoing with results expected in 2H'25 and 2H'26, respectively. Financial highlights include $342.6 million cash position providing runway into 2H'27, Q3 R&D expenses of $25.5 million, and a net loss of $25.2 million ($0.74 per share). DNTH103, their lead candidate, is designed for subcutaneous administration every two weeks in treating autoimmune disorders.

Positive

• Strong cash position of $342.6M providing extended runway into 2H'27
• Advancement of DNTH103 program with Phase 3 CIDP trial initiation planned
• Multiple ongoing clinical trials with clear timeline milestones

Negative

• Increased R&D expenses from $8.0M to $25.5M year-over-year
• Net loss widened to $25.2M compared to $14.8M in Q3 2023

Insights

Financial Analyst

The Q3 results reveal mixed financial performance with significant cash reserves but widening losses. The $342.6 million cash position provides substantial runway into 2H'27, demonstrating strong financial stability. However, R&D expenses surged by 218.75% to $25.5 million, primarily due to expanded clinical trials and CMC costs. The quarterly net loss increased to $25.2 million ($0.74 per share) from $14.8 million YoY.

The company's investment in three concurrent clinical trials (CIDP, gMG and MMN) suggests an aggressive development strategy. While G&A expenses decreased to $6.5 million, the elevated R&D spending indicates a strong focus on pipeline advancement. The extended cash runway provides important operational flexibility through multiple clinical readouts expected between 2025-2026.

Medical Research Analyst

The expansion into CIDP with a pivotal Phase 3 trial represents a strategic advancement in DNTH103's development. The two-part trial design, incorporating a responder analysis followed by a randomized withdrawal phase, is methodologically robust and efficient. The Q2W subcutaneous administration could offer a significant competitive advantage over existing treatments.

The concurrent development in three major autoimmune indications (CIDP, gMG, MMN) demonstrates DNTH103's potential as a pipeline-in-a-product. The selective targeting of active C1s protein, combined with YTE half-life extension technology, suggests a potentially superior therapeutic profile. The presentation of preclinical data at AANEM and ICNMD adds credibility to the development program.

Initiation of a single, two-part, pivotal Phase 3 trial of DNTH103 in Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy (CIDP) anticipated by YE’24

Phase 2 MaGic trial of DNTH103 in generalized Myasthenia Gravis (gMG) ongoing;
top-line results anticipated in 2H’25

Phase 2 MoMeNtum trial of DNTH103 in Multifocal Motor Neuropathy (MMN) ongoing;
top-line results anticipated in 2H’26

Approximately $343 million of cash provides runway into 2H’27

NEW YORK and WALTHAM, Mass., Nov. 07, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Dianthus Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: DNTH), a clinical-stage biotechnology company dedicated to advancing the next generation of antibody complement therapeutics to treat severe autoimmune diseases, today reported financial results for the third quarter ending September 30, 2024 and provided an update on recent business achievements.

“We are excited to expand DNTH103 beyond gMG and MMN into CIDP before year end. Like gMG and MMN, CIDP has significant unmet needs where a best-in-class, potent classical pathway inhibitor can potentially make a meaningful difference in the lives of patients. We believe this single, two-part, pivotal Phase 3 trial will support BLA filing in adult patients with CIDP and we anticipate initiating the trial by year-end 2024,” said Marino Garcia, Chief Executive Officer of Dianthus Therapeutics. “We continue to be confident in the pipeline-in-a-product potential of DNTH103 across multiple autoimmune diseases, supported by our proof-of-concept in vitro data most recently presented at AANEM and ICNMD and competitor clinical data that further validate targeting the classical pathway and active C1s.”

DNTH103 Clinical Development

DNTH103 is an investigational, clinical-stage, potent monoclonal antibody engineered to selectively target the classical pathway by inhibiting only the active form of the C1s protein, a clinically validated complement target. DNTH103 is enhanced with YTE half-life extension technology designed to enable a more convenient subcutaneous, self-administered injection dosed as infrequently as once every two weeks. DNTH103 has the potential to be a best-in-class pipeline-in-a-product across a range of autoimmune disorders with high unmet need.

Generalized Myasthenia Gravis (gMG)

• Phase 2 MaGic gMG trial ongoing: The MaGic trial is a global, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled Phase 2 trial in patients with gMG who are acetylcholine receptor (AChR) antibody positive, and it remains on track to report top-line results in 2H’25.
  
  
• Poster presentations at AANEM and ICNMD: Encore poster presentations at the American Association of Neuromuscular & Electrodiagnostic Medicine (AANEM) Annual Meeting in Savannah, Georgia and at the 18^th International Congress on Neuromuscular Diseases (ICNMD) in Perth, Australia highlighted preclinical and in vitro data describing the potentially differentiated profile of DNTH103 in a disease model of gMG.
  

Multifocal Motor Neuropathy (MMN)

• Phase 2 MoMeNtum MMN trial ongoing: The MoMeNtum trial is a global, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled Phase 2 trial designed to evaluate the safety, tolerability, and efficacy of DNTH103 in patients with MMN, and it remains on track to report top-line results in 2H’26.
  

Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy (CIDP)

• Initiation of a Phase 3 trial in CIDP anticipated by YE’24: Dianthus plans to initiate a single, two-part, randomized withdrawal Phase 3 trial of DNTH103 in CIDP by YE’24. In the open label Part A of this trial, participants will be administered a loading dose followed by 300mg DNTH103 administered every 2 weeks (Q2W) via subcutaneous (S.C.) injection for up to 13 weeks. Part A includes an interim responder analysis of a pre-defined number of participants. Only participants who respond to DNTH103 in Part A will be randomized into Part B, a double-blind, placebo-controlled treatment period of up to 52 weeks, where they will be assessed for prevention of relapse, safety and tolerability, followed by an open-label extension period. The Company believes this single pivotal trial will support BLA filing in adult patients with CIDP. Additional details regarding Phase 3 trial design and timelines will be provided by YE’24.
  
  
• Poster presentations at AANEM and ICNMD: Encore poster presentations at the American Association of Neuromuscular & Electrodiagnostic Medicine (AANEM) Annual Meeting in Savannah, Georgia and at the 18^th International Congress on Neuromuscular Diseases (ICNMD) in Perth, Australia highlighted preclinical and in vitro data describing the potentially differentiated profile of DNTH103 in a disease model of CIDP, in addition to head-to-head affinity and pharmacodynamic (PD) potency data for DNTH103 compared to riliprubart.
  

Corporate Updates

• Effective September 16, 2024, Steven Romano, M.D., was appointed to the Dianthus Therapeutics Board of Directors. Dr. Romano is a pharmaceutical executive with more than 28 years of experience in drug development across a wide range of therapeutic and disease areas. He currently serves as Executive Vice President, Chief Research and Development Officer at Silence Therapeutics.
  

Third-Quarter 2024 Financial Results

• Cash Position - $342.6 million of cash, cash equivalents and investments as of September 30, 2024 is projected to provide runway into the second half of 2027.
  
  
• R&D Expenses - Research and development (R&D) expenses for the quarter ended September 30, 2024 were $25.5 million, inclusive of $1.7 million of stock-based compensation, compared to $8.0 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2023, which included $0.4 million of stock-based compensation. This increase in R&D expenses was primarily driven by higher clinical costs, chemistry, manufacturing and controls (CMC) costs and increased headcount to support DNTH103 Phase 2 and Phase 3 development.
  
  
• G&A Expenses - General and administrative (G&A) expenses for the quarter ended September 30, 2024 totaled $6.5 million, inclusive of stock-based compensation of $2.2 million, compared to $8.7 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2023, which included $0.8 million of stock-based compensation. This decrease in G&A expenses was primarily due to lower personnel costs.
  
  
• Net Loss - Net loss for the quarter ended September 30, 2024 was $25.2 million or $0.74 per share (basic and diluted) compared to $14.8 million or $3.78 per share (basic and diluted) for the quarter ended September 30, 2023.
  

About DNTH103
DNTH103 is an investigational, clinical-stage, potent monoclonal antibody engineered to selectively target the classical pathway by inhibiting only the active form of the C1s protein, a clinically validated complement target. DNTH103 is enhanced with YTE half-life extension technology designed to enable a more convenient subcutaneous, self-administered injection dosed as infrequently as once every two weeks. Additionally, selective inhibition of the classical complement pathway may lower patient risk of infection from encapsulated bacteria by preserving immune activity of the lectin and alternative pathways. As the classical pathway plays a significant role in disease pathology, DNTH103 has the potential to be a best-in-class pipeline-in-a-product across a range of autoimmune disorders with high unmet need. Dianthus is building a neuromuscular franchise with DNTH103 following the initiation of the Phase 2 MaGic trial in generalized Myasthenia Gravis in 1Q’24 and the Phase 2 MoMeNtum trial in Multifocal Motor Neuropathy in 3Q’24, and initiation of a Phase 3 trial in Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy anticipated by YE’24.

DNTH103 is an investigational agent that is not approved as a therapy in any indication in any jurisdiction worldwide.

About Dianthus Therapeutics
Dianthus Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biotechnology company dedicated to designing and delivering novel, best-in-class monoclonal antibodies with improved selectivity and potency. Based in New York City and Waltham, Mass., Dianthus is comprised of an experienced team of biotech and pharma executives who are leading the development of next-generation antibody complement therapeutics, aiming to deliver transformative medicines for people living with severe autoimmune and inflammatory diseases.

To learn more, please visit www.dianthustx.com and follow us on LinkedIn. 

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements in this press release, other than purely historical information, may constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the federal securities laws, including for purposes of the safe harbor provisions under the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, express or implied statements regarding future plans and prospects, including statements regarding the expectations or plans for discovery, preclinical studies, clinical trials and research and development programs, in particular with respect to DNTH103, and any developments or results in connection therewith, including the target product profile of DNTH103; the anticipated timing of the initiation and results from those studies and trials; expectations regarding the time period over which the Company’s capital resources are expected to be sufficient to fund its anticipated operations; and expectations regarding the market and potential opportunities for complement therapies, in particular with respect to DNTH103. The words “opportunity,” “potential,” “milestones,” “runway,” “will,” “anticipate,” “achieve,” “near-term,” “catalysts,” “pursue,” “pipeline,” “believe,” “continue,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “ intend,” “may,” “might,” “plan,” “possible,” “predict,” “project,” “should,” “strive,” “would,” “aim,” “target,” “commit,” and similar expressions (including the negatives of these terms or variations of them) generally identify forward-looking statements, but the absence of these words does not mean that statement is not forward looking.

Actual results could differ materially from those included in the forward-looking statements due to various factors, risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, that preclinical testing of DNTH103 and data from clinical trials may not be predictive of the results or success of ongoing or later clinical trials, that the development of DNTH103 or the Company's other compounds may take longer and/or cost more than planned, that the Company may be unable to successfully complete the clinical development of the Company’s compounds, that the Company may be delayed in initiating, enrolling or completing its planned clinical trials, and that the Company's compounds may not receive regulatory approval or become commercially successful products. These and other risks and uncertainties are identified under the heading "Risk Factors" included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 2023, and other filings that the Company has made and may make with the SEC in the future. Nothing in this press release should be regarded as a representation by any person that the forward-looking statements set forth herein will be achieved or that any of the contemplated results of such forward-looking statements will be achieved.

The forward-looking statements in this press release speak only as of the date they are made and are qualified in their entirety by reference to the cautionary statements herein. Dianthus undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

Contact
Jennifer Davis Ruff
Dianthus Therapeutics
jdavisruff@dianthustx.com

DIANTHUS THERAPEUTICS, INC.
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
(in thousands, except share and per share data)
(unaudited)
		September 30, 2024				December 31, 2023
Assets
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents		$	33,671			$	132,325
Short-term investments			247,452				41,393
Receivable from related party			1,390				294
Unbilled receivable from related party			1,293				184
Prepaid expenses and other current assets			3,683				3,255
Total current assets			287,489				177,451
Long-term investments			61,482				—
Property and equipment, net			189				185
Right-of-use operating lease assets			352				615
Other assets and restricted cash			4,736				1,154
Total assets		$	354,248			$	179,405
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable		$	7,572			$	2,610
Accrued expenses			7,727				6,504
Current portion of deferred revenue - related party			100				100
Current portion of operating lease liabilities			311				417
Total current liabilities			15,710				9,631
Deferred revenue - related party			640				736
Long-term operating lease liabilities			—				168
Total liabilities			16,350				10,535
Commitments and contingencies
Stockholders’ equity:
Preferred stock			—				—
Common stock			29				15
Additional paid-in capital			483,140				258,231
Accumulated deficit			(145,952	)			(89,423	)
Accumulated other comprehensive income			681				47
Total stockholders’ equity			337,898				168,870
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity		$	354,248			$	179,405

DIANTHUS THERAPEUTICS, INC.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss
(in thousands, except share and per share data)
(unaudited)
		Three Months Ended September 30,								Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2024				2023				2024				2023
Revenues:
License revenue - related party		$	2,172			$	924			$	4,909			$	2,369
Operating expenses:
Research and development			25,544				7,960				56,692				24,060
General and administrative			6,528				8,723				18,165				13,527
Total operating expenses			32,072				16,683				74,857				37,587
Loss from operations			(29,900	)			(15,759	)			(69,948	)			(35,218	)
Other income/(expense):
Interest income			4,445				1,027				13,375				2,320
Gain on investment in related party			307				—				307				—
Loss on currency exchange, net			(48	)			(16	)			(91	)			(53	)
Other income/(expense)			22				(15	)			(172	)			(41	)
Total other income			4,726				996				13,419				2,226
Net loss		$	(25,174	)		$	(14,763	)		$	(56,529	)		$	(32,992	)
Net loss per share attributable to common stockholders, basic and diluted		$	(0.74	)		$	(3.78	)		$	(1.73	)		$	(17.40	)
Weighted-average number of shares of common stock outstanding including shares issuable under equity classified pre-funded warrants, used in computing net loss per share of common stock, basic and diluted			34,236,728				3,906,886				32,614,771				1,896,605
Comprehensive loss:
Net loss		$	(25,174	)		$	(14,763	)		$	(56,529	)		$	(32,992	)
Other comprehensive income:
Change in unrealized gains related to available for-sale debt securities			718				15				634				157
Total other comprehensive income			718				15				634				157
Total comprehensive loss		$	(24,456	)		$	(14,748	)		$	(55,895	)		$	(32,835	)

FAQ

What were Dianthus Therapeutics (DNTH) Q3 2024 financial results?

In Q3 2024, Dianthus reported a net loss of $25.2M ($0.74 per share), R&D expenses of $25.5M, and G&A expenses of $6.5M. The company had $342.6M in cash, providing runway into 2H'27.

When will DNTH report Phase 2 trial results for DNTH103 in gMG?

Dianthus expects to report top-line results from the Phase 2 MaGic trial of DNTH103 in generalized Myasthenia Gravis (gMG) in the second half of 2025.

What is the timeline for DNTH103's Phase 3 CIDP trial?

Dianthus plans to initiate a single, two-part, pivotal Phase 3 trial of DNTH103 in Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy (CIDP) by the end of 2024.